The Flipside of Turkish Politics
Christopher Beshara surveys Turkey’s cultural and socio-economic landscape
The jarring and often unanticipated effects of globalisation extend far beyond Turkey’s strained relationship with secularism. Around every corner is an affirmation that Turkey is very much a country torn between the retention of local culture on the one hand, and the limitless economic potential of a vibrant tourist market on the other, along with all of the compromises essential to its appeasement.
One observes curious phenomena at these crossroads. Street vendors hawk ‘Genuine Fake Watches’ outside the ancient city of Ephesus, contrasting starkly with the meek Turks paying their respects at the Gallipoli memorial to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Istanbul’s decadent malls, which boast the latest in Gucci bags, Armani fragrances and Starbucks beverages, sit uncomfortably with the trinkets and tealeaves sold by the unassuming locals at Canakkale’s more modest bazaars. Tourists venturing into Taksim Square’s bars and clubs are immediately greeted by lavish images of John Lennon, Elvis Presley and The Doors. The occasional Turkish pop song interrupts the cacophony of Western rock music blaring in the background.
Evidently, changes are afoot in Turkey. The country has eschewed the state intervention and economic protectionism that characterised the post-war period. Membership of NATO, the Council of Europe and a regional customs union have heralded a general trend towards economic liberalism.
“The occasional Turkish pop song interrupts the cacophony of Western rock music blaring in the background.”
However, this sojourn has not been without danger. Indeed, the 2001 financial crisis necessitated IMF reforms that have only recently expired. Needless to say, high inflation, a trade deficit of almost US$50 billion and continuing dependence upon short-term capital continue to instil investor trepidation on the odd occasion. Generally speaking, however, Turkey’s economy has gone from strength to strength.
Seen in this light, the portrait of cultural homogenisation depicted above is illuminative of broader socio-economic trends in modern Turkey. For one thing, the country is intensely reliant upon the very processes of globalisation and international commerce that are routinely decried by Kemalist elites. For all its purportedly anti-secular hectoring, the AKP has been assertive enough to curb hyperinflation by embracing the global free market and recognising the importance of a bid for EU membership.
“The country is intensely reliant upon the very processes of globalisation and international commerce that are routinely decried by Kemalist elites.”
Yet, as ever, there is much internecine interplay between Turkey’s domestic politics, religiosity and economics. Finance minister Mehmet Simsek claims that the adverse effects of the constitutional crisis on the lucrative bonds market have thus far cost the government US$16 billion. For now, the prudent decision of Turkey’s Constitutional Court to refrain from banning the AKP for anti-secular activity has obviated any economic disaster that may have been on the horizon. But it is early days yet for globalisation in Turkey, and the long-term forecast is inconclusive at best.
